Easily distracted by shiny objects.

June 29, 2016

Why EU is doomed

The expansionist policies and the undemocratic nature of EU will eventually bring it down. Eastern European countries and the (self styled) Central European countries (Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary) find the EU of advantage to them as they recover from the Soviet era, but it may not be so good for the Western European countries. The inclusion of Turkey, a country riven with ethnic tension and violence, would weaken Europe badly and create the possibility of EU incursions into the Middle East, or, at the very least, unwelcome entanglements with that area.

Capitalism is expansionist by nature, and EU is striving to extend its reach into Canada and ultimately the U.S. Under negotiation now is the free trade agreement with Canada, the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). The goal is for European corporations doing business in Canada to operate under the rules of the EU, not the laws of Canada. CETA is arousing opposition both in Canada and in Europe in spite of attempts to keep it under the radar. As a typical member of the ill-informed public I knew nothing about this matter until this a.m.

We are more aware, in the U.S., of TPP, the Transpacific Partnership, and there is active opposition to it, even from the presidential candidates.

There are good reasons for resisting the EU. If it had remained within its original modest parameters it would be a different story. The advantages of a single currency and open borders are clear, but it might have been better to confine these amenities to GB, France, Germany, Spain, Italy and the Benelux countries.

Brexit really is messing things up for the economic masters of the universe. I would have voted to stay, but as I learn more I wonder if that would be the right decision. Sure, small-mindedness had a lot to do with Brexit's win, but I think it's important to understand the role of self interest, with people competing in what looks like a zero sum game for most.

More: Jan says something important here. The British public, with good reason, feels left out of all the important decision making. Elites are far less responsive to public opinion there than they are in the U.S.

Brexit had more to do with Conservative Party internal politics than it did with any belief that the British voters would actually vote to leave the EU. What a surprise.

Then again, we all are. We touch economic disaster out here on the Edge just about daily. I read the pros and cons of Brexit and I'm still none the wiser. Much of the no was about intolerance and "they're stealing our jobs".

We're all teetering on the brink anyway on so many different levels, I come close to shrugging and just making the best of the last few years.